Reading and Explaining School and Community Notices for Primary 1

Class: Primary One
Term: Third Term
Week: 10
Age: 6 years
Duration: 45 minutes
Subject: English Studies
Curriculum Theme: Reading
Focal competence: Recognizing and using signs and symbols
Key competencies/values: Collaboration; Respect; Tolerance; Communication; Critical Thinking; Creativity and Innovation
Skills:

• Recognizing and identifying common signs
• Interpreting common signs and symbols

Previous Lesson: Decoding and pronouncing cluster words in a short functional notice
Topic: Common Signs And Symbols
Subject Matter: Reading a simple school or community notice and explaining its message

Specific Objectives

By the end of the lesson, pupils should be able to:

Cognitive Domain

• i. identify the heading or key instruction and the main message of a simple notice.
• ii. read simple school and community notices correctly.
• iii. interpret simple classroom and school signs correctly.
• iv. explain the action or message communicated by a simple notice.

Affective Domain

• i. appreciate the importance of notices for safety and information.
• ii. show willingness to follow instructions given on notices.

Psychomotor Domain

• i. point to different parts of a notice.
• ii. demonstrate reading simple notices aloud.

Social Domain

• i. collaborate with peers in discussing the meaning of notices.

Reference Materials

The following resources were used in planning this lesson:

• 2025 Revised 9 Years Basic Education Curriculum
• Relevant State Unified Scheme of Work
• Macmillan Primary English for Primary 1
• The HeadTeacher Scheme of work

Instructional Materials

The teacher will teach this lesson with the aid of:

• Approved publisher-neutral text
• Letter, word and picture cards
• Exercise books and pencils
• Please and thank you game board
• Examples of school and community notices (e.g., “STOP”, “KEEP THE CLASSROOM CLEAN”, “NO LITTERING”, “QUIET PLEASE”, “REPORT HERE”)
• Flashcards with simple signs and symbols

Rationale for the Lesson

This lesson is important because it equips pupils with essential reading and comprehension skills for everyday life. Understanding notices helps them navigate their school and community safely and effectively. It also fosters critical thinking as they interpret messages and respond appropriately.

Prerequisite/Previous Knowledge

Pupils can recognise some letters of the alphabet and simple words. They also understand basic instructions given orally by the teacher.

Lesson Content/Board Summary

Common Signs And Symbols

Meaning of a Notice

A notice is a written or printed message that tells people important information or gives an instruction. It is usually placed where many people can see it.

Purpose of Notices

Notices are used to:

1. Tell us what to do or not to do.
2. Keep us safe.
3. Inform us about events or rules.
4. Remind us of important things.

Parts of a Simple Notice

A simple notice usually has two main parts:

1. Heading or Key Instruction: This is the main word or short phrase that tells you quickly what the notice is about (e.g., STOP, QUIET PLEASE).
2. Main Message: This gives more details about the instruction or information (e.g., “KEEP THE CLASSROOM CLEAN” tells you to make sure the classroom is always neat).

Reading Simple School and Community Notices

It is important to read notices carefully to understand their message. Examples include:

1. STOP: This means you should not move forward.
2. KEEP THE CLASSROOM CLEAN: This means you should always make sure your classroom is neat and tidy.
3. NO LITTERING: This means you should not throw dirt on the ground.
4. QUIET PLEASE: This means you should not make noise.

Identifying Audience and Message

When we read a notice, we should ask:

1. Who is the notice for? (e.g., for pupils, for visitors, for everyone).
2. What action or message is communicated? (e.g., stop, clean, be quiet, don’t throw dirt).

Teaching Methods/Instructional Techniques

Discussion, Demonstration, Guided Practice, Question and Answer, Explanation, Observation, Individual Practice

Instructional Procedures

Step 1: Introduction

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Engaging/Activating prior knowledge

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher greets the pupils and asks them if they have seen any signs or messages around the school or on the road. The teacher then shows some simple picture cards of common signs (e.g., a ‘STOP’ sign, a ‘NO LITTERING’ sign) and asks pupils what they think they mean.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils respond to the teacher’s questions and share what they know about signs.

Learning Point: Importance of messages

Step 2: Meaning of a Notice

Time: 7 minutes

Teaching Skill: Explaining/Defining

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher explains what a notice is, using simple language. “A notice is a written message that tells us important things or what to do.” The teacher shows a simple notice like “KEEP THE CLASSROOM CLEAN” and explains it is a notice.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen attentively and repeat the meaning of a notice after the teacher.

Learning Point: What a notice is

Step 3: Purpose of Notices

Time: 7 minutes

Teaching Skill: Explaining/Illustrating

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher discusses why notices are important, giving examples. “Notices help us know what to do, keep us safe, and tell us important news.” The teacher asks pupils to think of places where they see notices (e.g., school gate, classroom wall).

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils identify places where they see notices and suggest reasons why they are important.

Learning Point: Why notices are used

Step 4: Parts of a Simple Notice

Time: 7 minutes

Teaching Skill: Identifying/Categorizing

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher points to a simple notice (e.g., “STOP” or “QUIET PLEASE”) and explains that it has a main instruction (the heading) and sometimes a short message. The teacher highlights these parts on different examples.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils observe the notices and identify the heading/instruction and the main message with the teacher’s guidance.

Learning Point: Main parts of a notice

Step 5: Reading Simple Notices

Time: 7 minutes

Teaching Skill: Guided Reading/Modelling

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher displays various simple school and community notices (e.g., “STOP”, “KEEP THE CLASSROOM CLEAN”, “NO LITTERING”). The teacher reads each notice clearly, then asks pupils to repeat after them. The teacher encourages individual pupils to read some notices.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen to the teacher, repeat the notices, and practice reading them individually.

Learning Point: Reading simple notices

Step 6: Explaining Notice Messages

Time: 7 minutes

Teaching Skill: Questioning/Clarifying

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher shows a notice again, for example, “KEEP THE CLASSROOM CLEAN,” and asks: “Who is this notice for?” and “What does it tell us to do?” The teacher guides pupils to explain the message and the expected action for each notice example.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils answer the questions, identifying who the notice is for and explaining the message in their own simple words.

Learning Point: Explaining notice messages

Step 7: Evaluation/Review

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Questioning/Assessment

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher evaluates the learning by asking the following questions:

1. What is a notice?
2. Mention one reason why notices are important.
3. What are the two main parts of a simple notice?
4. What does the notice “STOP” mean?
5. What does the notice “KEEP THE CLASSROOM CLEAN” tell us to do?

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils answer orally and in writing.

Learning Point: Understanding notice messages

Step 8: Note-Taking

Time: 4 minutes

Teaching Skill: Guided Writing

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher guides pupils to copy the essential Board Summary notes on the meaning, purpose, parts, and examples of notices into their notebooks.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils copy the notes carefully into their notebooks.

Learning Point: Copying lesson notes

Step 9: Conclusion

Time: 1 minute

Teaching Skill: Summarising

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher briefly reminds pupils that notices are important messages that help us understand rules and stay safe. They encourage pupils to always read and understand notices they see.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen and acknowledge the importance of notices.

Learning Point: Recap of notices

Continuous Assessment/Further Study

Type: Homework

Instruction: Look for simple notices around your home or community. Draw one notice you see and write what it tells people to do.

1. Draw a simple notice you saw.
2. Write one sentence explaining what the notice means.

Lesson Keywords

• Notice – A written message that gives information or instructions.
• Sign – A symbol or word that gives information or a warning.
• Symbol – A picture or shape that stands for something else.
• Message – The information or meaning being communicated.
• Interpret – To understand and explain the meaning of something.

Differentiation

For weaker learners: Provide larger print notices with more pictures. Focus on just two or three very simple notices and use repetitive drills. Allow them to explain messages through gestures or drawing if verbal explanation is difficult. Pair them with stronger learners during activities.

For faster learners: Challenge them to create their own simple notice for the classroom or school, including a heading and a message. Ask them to identify notices that have only pictures and explain their meaning.

Suggested Lesson Videos

Search on YouTube for: “Primary 1 Reading School Notices” or “Simple Signs and Symbols for Kids”

Teacher Guide for Using This Lesson Plan

Before the lesson, ensure you have a variety of clear, age-appropriate school and community notices, either printed, drawn, or as flashcards. These visual aids are crucial for Primary 1 pupils. Begin by engaging pupils with familiar signs to activate their prior knowledge. Systematically introduce the meaning, purpose, and parts of a notice, using your prepared examples for demonstration. Guide pupils through reading and interpreting the messages, encouraging them to explain in their own words what action is required. During Step 8 (Note-Taking), supervise pupils carefully as they copy the Board Summary, ensuring neatness and accuracy. Check for understanding throughout the lesson by asking frequent questions. Encourage collaboration during discussions but also provide opportunities for individual reading and explanation. Remind pupils about the importance of paying attention to notices for their safety and for maintaining order in the school environment.